- Few Bangkok providers publish their fees; of the services we checked, published prices came from one counselling practice and one hospital's inpatient packages.
- Counselling Thailand, which also serves Bangkok and online clients, lists 2,765 baht for a 60-minute session and 3,745 baht for 90 minutes.
- Hospital psychiatry is usually billed as a doctor's fee plus any tests and medicines, so a first visit can cost more than later ones.
- Insurance often caps or excludes mental health care, and some counselling services do not handle insurance claims.
- In a crisis, call 1669 or the Department of Mental Health's 1323 hotline rather than waiting for an appointment.
| Provider | Service | Published price | Notes from the page | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselling Thailand (Chiang Mai office; also serves Bangkok and online) | Counselling session, 60 minutes | 2,765 | Charged per session rather than per person; same rate evenings and weekends; under 48 hours' cancellation charged in full. | counsellingthailand.com — Fees and appointments |
| Counselling Thailand | Counselling session, 90 minutes | 3,745 | Free short introductory video call before booking. Insurance claims not handled. | counsellingthailand.com — Fees and appointments |
| Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai | Psychiatric inpatient package, 1 / 3 / 7 days | 26,000 / 71,000 / 149,000 | Valid 1 September to 31 December 2026. | bangkokhospital.com — Psychiatric inpatient package |
If you need help now
If someone's life is in danger, call 1669, Thailand's free medical emergency number, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. For urgent emotional support, the Department of Mental Health's 1323 hotline runs 24 hours a day. Our mental health support guide lists further helplines, including an English-language option.
Cost should never stop you seeking urgent help. Emergency departments will assess you first; payment and insurance can be sorted out afterwards.
How mental health care is priced
The way you are charged depends on who you see. At a private hospital, a psychiatrist's appointment is usually billed as a doctor's fee, with any blood tests, psychological testing and medicines added on, plus a hospital service charge. The first appointment is often longer and more expensive than follow-ups, because it includes a full assessment. If medication is started, regular review appointments follow, typically shorter.
Psychologists and counsellors usually charge per session, often for 50 to 60 minutes, with longer sessions for couples and families. Fees tend to be the same each time, so the total depends mainly on how many sessions you need. Counselling Thailand, for example, publishes 2,765 baht for 60 minutes and 3,745 baht for 90 minutes, charged per session rather than per person, with the same rate in the evenings and at weekends.
Psychological testing, such as assessments for ADHD or learning difficulties, is usually priced separately and can involve several appointments plus a written report. Ask for the total cost of the assessment, including the report, before you start.
What Bangkok providers publish
Published fees are rare. Of the Bangkok services we checked, Bumrungrad's Behavioral Health Center, MedPark's psychiatry clinic, Manarom Hospital and New Counseling Service did not list outpatient fees on their pages when we read them. That is not unusual: hospitals often quote on request, because the cost depends on the clinician and what is needed.
The published prices we found are a reference point rather than a Bangkok price list. Counselling Thailand's registered office is in Chiang Mai, but the practice says it also serves Bangkok and offers online sessions within Thailand and abroad. Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai publishes psychiatric inpatient packages of 26,000 baht for one day, 71,000 baht for three days and 149,000 baht for seven days, valid from 1 September to 31 December 2026. Inpatient care in Bangkok will be priced by each hospital, so ask for a written estimate.
When you contact a provider, ask the same questions of each: the fee for a first appointment and for follow-ups, the session length, whether online sessions cost the same, whether tests and medicines are extra, and the cancellation policy.
Psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor: matching cost to need
A psychiatrist is a doctor who can diagnose, prescribe and arrange admission. A psychologist offers talking therapy and psychological assessment but does not prescribe. A counsellor provides supportive talking therapy; training and qualifications vary. Our mental health support guide explains the differences in more detail.
Many people use a combination: a psychiatrist for diagnosis and medication reviews every few weeks or months, and a psychologist or counsellor for weekly therapy. Counselling practices such as New Counseling Service and Counselling Thailand say they do not offer psychiatric treatment or prescribing, so if you might need medication, ask how they work with psychiatrists.
Check credentials whatever you pay. Psychiatrists are doctors, so their registration can be checked on the Medical Council of Thailand's public lookup. For psychologists and counsellors, ask where they trained and which professional body they belong to.
Insurance and mental health care
Mental health is one of the areas health insurance is most likely to limit. Policies may exclude it altogether, cover inpatient care only, set a lower annual cap for mental health than for physical illness, or restrict the number of therapy sessions. Some require a referral from a doctor before therapy is covered, or only pay for sessions with a psychiatrist or registered psychologist rather than a counsellor.
Before you start, ask your insurer what is covered and in what form it needs the claim. Then ask the provider whether it bills insurers directly or gives you receipts to claim back. Counselling Thailand, for instance, says it does not handle insurance claims.
For inpatient care, the UK government describes private psychiatric treatment in Thailand as expensive and says a deposit or payment guarantee is essential before a mental health admission. If you have cover, contact your insurer as early as possible.
Questions to ask about fees
- What does a first appointment cost, and what do follow-ups cost?
- How long is each session, and do online sessions cost the same?
- Are tests, psychological assessments and medicines charged separately?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Do you bill my insurer directly, or provide receipts and reports for a claim?
- Does my insurance need a doctor's referral before therapy is covered?
Frequently asked questions
How much does therapy cost in Bangkok?
Most Bangkok providers we checked do not publish fees, so ask directly. As a reference, Counselling Thailand, which also serves Bangkok and online clients, lists 2,765 baht for a 60-minute session and 3,745 baht for 90 minutes.
Is a psychiatrist more expensive than a counsellor?
Pricing differs: psychiatry is usually a doctor's fee plus any tests and medicines, while counselling is charged per session. Many people see a psychiatrist less often and a therapist weekly.
Does insurance cover therapy in Thailand?
It varies widely. Some policies exclude mental health, cap it or cover only inpatient care, and some need a doctor's referral. Check before you start.
What does psychiatric inpatient care cost?
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai publishes inpatient packages of 26,000 baht for one day, 71,000 baht for three days and 149,000 baht for seven days, valid to 31 December 2026. Bangkok hospitals price inpatient care individually.
Where can I get free mental health support?
The Department of Mental Health's 1323 hotline is free and runs 24 hours a day. In an emergency, call 1669 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Sources
- Counselling Thailand — Fees and appointments
- Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai — Psychiatric inpatient package
- Bumrungrad International Hospital — Behavioral Health Center
- Manarom Hospital — Outpatient services
- New Counseling Service — Home
- MedPark Hospital — Psychiatry
- GOV.UK — Healthcare and medical services in Thailand
- Thai PBS — Medical Council advises checking a doctor's registration (check_md lookup)
